Ex-soldier Simon Dalton took valuables including a Picasso painting to fuel his gambling addiction

He squandered almost £600,000 at William Hill.

Dalton stole from the safe of Major Christopher Hanbury, 73, at the family home in Hungerford, Berks. His haul included artworks by Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec and Bob Dylan, Faberge eggs and Cartier watches.

When the family said they were installing cameras in the safe, Dalton fled to France. He admitted theft at Manchester crown court and was jailed for six years.

Major Hanbury’s wife Bridget, 68, said: “Our emotional safe space has been defiled by this man.’’